Even though the title “peacekeeper” and “peacemaker” sound the same they are profoundly different from one another and dissecting  the words reveals the difference. 

A peace-keeper is someone who desire to keep peace in all circumstance never risking rocking the proverbial boat. They want to see everyone happy all the time and will make huge personal sacrifices in order to maintain peace and over time they will even cross moral or ethical boundaries in order to keep peace (especially in their family) and not rock the boat. 

A peace-maker is someone who will sacrifice peace for a short time in order to make long term peace, they will rock the boat as long as they can see long term benefit. These people also want to see everyone happy but they do not carry it on their own shoulders thus having strong boundaries and a strong moral compass. They are marked by their resolve to “clear the air” of assumptions and rumors by cutting to the core of issues. 

I choose to be a peacemaker because once peace is made, even through difficult circumstances, there is less maintenance  in your relationships and more time to enjoy interaction. Peacekeepers must always be on their toes ready to maintain peace rather than engage in the interactions with friends. 

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭9‬ ESV)